University of Bergen

The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad.

There are five departments and seven centres at Faculty of Medicine. Read More about the faculty and departments.

UiB - Knowledge that shapes society

Through robust and close interaction with the world around us – globally, nationally and locally – we shall be instrumental in building a society based on knowledge, skills and attitudes.

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PhD position

At the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, a PhD-position (100 %) is available for a period of three (3) years. The position is part of the project “Role of integrin alpha11 in cardiac fibrosis”, funded by Nasjonalforeningen for folkhelsen.

About the project/work tasks:

In the group of Prof. D. Gullberg, Research group of Matrix biology, Department of Biomedicine, there is an interest in understanding the role of integrin alpha11 in tissue and tumor fibrosis. In a close collaboration with the group of Prof. G. Christensen at the University of Oslo the group has an ongoing collaboration to investigate the potential cooperation of integrin alpha11 with the cell surface receptor syndecan-4. Unpublished data from mice deficient in integrin alpha11 and syndecan-4 (Itga11-/-//Sdc4-/- mice) indicate a complex, but important collaboration of these two cell surface receptors during cardiac fibrosis.

The main objectives for the position are:

• Characterize the molecular mechanism of integrin alpha11 and syndecan-4 cooperation in fibroblasts (requires knowledge of cell biological methods, molecular biology methods, experience with experimental mouse models, including isolation of primary cells).
• Test the potential benefits of blocking integrin alpha11 on cardiac cells to alleviate fibrosis (requires knowledge and experience of cell biological methods such as 3D culture in spheroids).
• Characterize the cardiac cells expressing integrin alpha11 in cardiac fibrosis using a recently generated ITGA11-Cre mouse strain (experimental mouse models, including isolation of primary cells).

Qualifications and personal qualities:

• The successful applicant must hold a master`s degree in Pharmacology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology or equivalent master’s degree.
• Personal skills will be emphasized, and potential experience from relevant research projects including integrin or syndecan research will be considered as positive. The candidate should be able to work independently and have a strong commitment and enthusiasm for research.
• The successful applicant must be fluent in oral and written English.
• Specifically, previous experience in:
  • isolating primary fibroblasts from transgenic mice
  • performing cell biological assays such as cell proliferation,cell migration, collagen remodelling assays
  • experience of advanced microscopic imaging of cultured cells, is desirable

About the PhD position (applies to university PhD positions):

Applicant whose education is from another country than Norway, need to also attach a certified translation of the diploma and transcript of grades to English or a Scandinavian language, if the original is not in any of these languages. It is required that the applicant enclose a review from NOKUT whether the education in question is of a scope and level that corresponds to the level of a Norwegian master’s degree. Please see www.nokut.no/en for more information about NOKUT’s general recognition. The review from NOKUT may take some time and the application should be sent to NOKUT as soon as you have decided to apply for the position. If no answer within the application deadline, you may enclose documentation from NOKUT that they have received your application.

Language qualifications: http://www.uib.no/en/med/115526/english-language-requirements-phd-admission

Organized research training (PhD program)

The candidate must take part in the University of Bergen approved PhD programme leading to the degree within a time limit of 3 years. You must have admission to the organized research training (PhD program) at the Faculty in order to qualify for the position. Application for admission to the PhD programme, including a project plan outline for the training plan must be submitted no later than three months after the date of commencement.

The PhD-position

PhD-positions are fixed term positions. You cannot be employed in a PhD-position for more than one fixed term period at the same institution or have had similar employment at an institution in the region.

We can offer:

• Exciting development opportunities as part of your role in a strong professional environment
• salary at pay grade 51 (code 1017/pay framwork 20.9) NKR 449 400 before taxes, in the state scale. Further increases in salary will be based on seniority in the position. For applicants with at least one year of employment in a position as a General Practitioner or Dentist, salary level 53. Medical specialist start on wage level 58 (code 1017/ pay framwork 20.17)
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Good welfare benefits

Your application must include:

• a brief account of the applicant`s research interests and motivation for applying for the position
• certified copies of diplomas and transcripts of grades. Applicant whose education is from another country than Norway, need to also attach a certified translation of the diploma and transcript of grades to English or a Scandinavian language, if the original is not in any of these languages. It is required that the applicant enclose a review from NOKUT whether the education in question is of a scope and level that corresponds to the level of a Norwegian master’s degree. Please see www.nokut.no/en for more information about NOKUT’s general recognition. This may take some time and we recommend you to apply as soon as you know you will apply for this position. If no answer within the application deadline, please enclose documentation from NOKUT that they have received your application. Documentation of language skills (English)
• complete list of publications and scientific work you want to be evaluated
• any publication in your name
• two referees (name and contact information)

General information:

For further information please contact:

• Professpr Donald Gullberg on e-mail: donald.gullberg@uib.no, or phone: 92804941

State employment shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. People with immigrant backgrounds and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for the position.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

For further information about the recruitment process, click here.

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